Swarm, not mating flight. Duh. Equipment scarcity...

[SireeDubs]

Really do appreciate all the replies to yesterday's query on a mating flight. Esp Finman and Beeno, who correctly identified pre-swarm activity!

As I was on alert, I've captured the swarm easily. However, all my spare equipment (bb, polynuc) has been borrowed by my colleague, who's had 4 swarms since end April.

All I have is a nuc box with no mesh floor. I've moved them into the shade while I try to think of something, but don't want them to abscond with cramped and hot conditions. I wouldn't say it's a huge swarm, but decent.

Any advice until I can get hold of some equipment?

 

[Oscarmonster]

A spare super and an eke make a bb if you have one spare.

 

[user 6228]

When you run out of supers and ekes .. Cardboard box, with a bin bag on top to keep out the rain and of course gaffer tape.
and when the new kit arrives: large elastic bands
bin there done that (the bee keeper was abroad at the time)

 

[alldigging]

Have you checked the hive from whence it came?

 

[SireeDubs]

Thanks all so far. Was really struggling as so hot here, and only 5 frame solid nuc.

So (please don't flame me), here's what I've done...

Had placed nuc next to original hive, as I was sure that was the source. Opened up nuc just to remove bits of branch etc and was lucky enough to see HM in a corner. No doubt.

Went through old bb and found qc that I knew hatched around Monday (swarmed queen). I also found another cheeky swarm cell on another frame that I'd completely missed (how? It was huge). This looked ready to emerge. I'm now certain there are no more qcs. Also, by numbers present, I'm even more sure the swarm did come from here.

So after consulting my mentor, it was suggested that I immediately unite the swarm with the original colony, after removing the qc in the bb. This is what I've done. The queen has gone in and all others trooped after her. They're now behaving pretty normally - foraging busily etc.

I know enough about beekeeping that there'll be many ways to achieve the same objective, but I just hope that I haven't completely cocked up. I was completing my as today, by moving the original hive to the other side of my as hive (to help balance numbers. Is this still a good idea I wonder?

Thanks as always for advice. Oh, for my military days, bees just never do what you brief them to do...